Local music industry needs much attention – Jumo Primo

By Bhisham Mohamed 

Lead singer of the famous Caribbean orchestra Bryon Lee and the Dragonaires, the ever-popular X2 singer Jumo Primo, is of the opinion that local artistes are not being given the necessary support and attention they deserve in Guyana. In an exclusive interview with this publication, Primo disclosed that the local DJs in Guyana find more joy and pleasure in promoting the music of other Caribbean singers on the local airwaves and television channels, rather than assisting the locals to be recognised.

With this in mind, Primo said, more emphasis needs to be placed on local artistes, to give them a chance to elevate themselves in the music fraternity.

The one-time lead singer of the Jahrusalem Band recommended that local DJs should have a compilation of selected songs, and rotate them on a continuous basis on the airwaves, so that people can get familiar with them. By continuously playing this music on the radio, people will become familiar with the music.

On the other hand, he intimated that the Guyanese artistes are being paid ‘next to nothing’ when they perform alongside regional artistes, despite the locals outperforming the foreigners.

He recalled that, as a young singer, he was full of potential but was given less attention and support in Guyana’s music industry. However, his tremendous potential in singing and performing was soon recognised by foreign bands with whom he performed.

Jumo was recruited in 2001 to join the band’s front line. He has since graduated to lead singer, but from the beginning he was a hit with the ladies, due to his agile moves and smooth voice. He is an accomplished song writer, and brings youth and exuberance to the Bryon Lee and the Dragonaires orchestra.

Recently, in Jamaica, Primo performed among Jamaica’s renowned artistes Barrington Levi, Ken Booth, Third World, Frankie Paul, and others in the Bacchanal Carnival. ‘Rubber Waist’, as he is commonly called, participated in what was described as the biggest Carnival in Jamaica, with over 100,000 people gyrating in the streets of the capital city. As a Guyanese performer, he was well received, and the people loved him.

Every year in Jamaica, there is the Bacchanal Carnival, Jokers Wild Beach Party and the Jamaica Carnival, which is pioneered by Byron Lee and the Dragonaires for the past 20 years. For these activities, soca fans travel miles to join in the celebration.

Even today, they are playing ‘Tick Tack’, and that is one of the biggest hits in Jamaica; followed by ‘Push That Bumper”, another number sung by Primo and his partner, Adrian Dutchin. Other than those, no other Guyanese music is being played on the Jamaican airwaves.

Performing in a host of other countries, Jumo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo has represented Guyana to its fullest. ‘Rubber Waist’ is a name that was not self-proclaimed, but was given to him by a journalist, who made it stick with him forever.

Primo is back home after a long tour to the USA, Jamaica, Curacao and a few other countries; but he will soon head out again to perform at the Caribana in Canada and other booked events in Tortola, Atlanta, Washington, New York and other entertainment hotspots.

While in Guyana, he will record his latest single, “Might be down”, which is a combination of soca and reggae. He will also complete his video “No more love”, which is solely reggae.